A New Patriotic Party (NPP) Member of Parliament (MP) has raised concerns over non-adherence to due process in the Ken Ofori-Atta matter despite backing the investigations into his alleged involvement in corruption.
The MP for Mpraeso, Davis Ansah Opoku, has indicated that public officials are expected to serve with integrity and should be probed if they are suspected of any corrupt dealings. However, he wants due process to be followed in the pursuit of justice.
The lawmaker’s comments follow the Office of the Special Prosecutor’s (OSP) declaration of the former Finance Minister as a prime suspect in four high-profile cases including the National Cathedral Project, the Strategic Mobilization Limited (SML) revenue engagement, and two others.
According to the legislator, accountability is a crucial element in fighting corruption but cautioned that it should be done within the remit of the law.
In an interview on Accra-based Channel One TV Wednesday, February 12, 2025, the parliamentarian expressed his reservations with the OSP’s approach, particularly with his labeling of Ofori-Atta as a fugitive.
Opoku Ansah contended that the OSP’s approach lacks fairness and due process.
“I am not here to defend anybody that the state feels has engaged in any wrongdoing. I mean, we are public officers and we are expected to govern with a certain dignity and so if there is sufficient evidence to indicate that the former Finance Minister has engaged in any wrongdoing, I believe that he ought to face the law and the due process must be followed.
“However, we strongly believe that the processes leading to that process ought to follow a particular rule of law. We need to uphold the fundamental rights of every Ghanaian, irrespective of your service or whether the Ghanaian people like you or not and that has been our position,” he explained.
Full text: Address by Kissi Agyebeng on Ken Ofori-Atta, other matters under prosecution
